Mallikarjuna Temple

The Mallikarjuna Temple crowns the hills of Srisailam, above the Krishna river in the Deccan, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, worshipped beside his consort Bhramaramba. Its name comes from the Telugu word mallika, jasmine, with which the lingam is said to have been adorned.

The complex is also counted among the Shakta Pithas, where Sati's neck is believed to have fallen. Inscriptions show a shrine here under the Satavahanas in the 2nd century, and the innermost sanctum dates to the 7th century. The Reddi kings of the 13th and 14th centuries cut the Pathala Ganga stairway of more than eight hundred steps down to the Krishna.

Most halls and four gateways were built under Vijayanagara emperors, beginning with Harihara I, who reigned from 1336 to 1355. Pilgrims worship at the temple and bathe in the river below.